Chemistry (MChem) (Full-Time, 2018 Entry)

What will I learn?

Our MChem Chemistry degree provides training across all areas of the subject in an innovative department with world-class facilities.

Your first and second years will develop understanding of fundamental areas of Chemistry. Core modules will give you a background in the essential topics required for more advanced study and exposure to specialist and interdisciplinary topics will enable you to explore your interests.

In years three and four there is flexibility for you to tailor your module options to suit your interests. As well as a range of optional modules offered from within Chemistry you could take modules from other departments including the Business School and Languages.

Your degree will be further customised by the research that you carry out in your final year project and you will be able to express a preference for the topics and themes that appeal to you most.

Our Chemistry degrees are excellent, all-round programmes that develop a broad skillset, valued by employers, as well as subject specific knowledge. You will develop the ability to solve unfamiliar problems by applying your knowledge and understanding and apply your critical thinking skills to assess complex situations. You learn how to locate, evaluate and communicate information to a range of audiences. You will become an independent investigator with the ability to devise and implement your own plans.

How will I learn?

You will experience a range of different types of teaching sessions including lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory classes.

Lectures are the main way that the content and theory is delivered and all students taking a module attend the lectures at the same time. You will encounter a range of lecturing styles that help you to learn in different ways including making your own notes, annotating printed handouts, problem solving activities and interactive quizzes.

Modules in the first and second year are supported by tutorials with small groups of students.
Workshops are problem solving classes where questions are set for you to attempt. Typically run in groups of 20-40 students, these provide opportunities for you to work with your peers as well as ask questions and get assistance from academic staff and teaching assistants on hand.

Classes in our state-of-the-art undergraduate labs will form an integral part of your learning. You will carry out experiments individually with a laboratory demonstrators supporting your small group to help you learn the practical techniques and guide your understanding. Many of our practicals are unique and innovative because they have been designed by our academic researchers. All the equipment that you need is provided free, including your laboratory coat, book and glasses, and we have never charged for breakages so you can learn in a stress-free environment.

All of the teaching and learning activities are accessible through the virtual learning environment (VLE). Each module has its own area containing module information, contacts for teaching staff, lecture notes, tutorial and workshop questions, recordings, forums and often interactive quizzes. Your modules spaces stay with you throughout your time at Warwick so you can always access information and feedback from previous years.

How will I be assessed?

You will encounter summative examinations and coursework with a minimum of 25% of each year’s grade being generated from assessed work.

You will carry out a range of assessment types including laboratory reports, presentations, posters and essays to monitor your progress and provide regular feedback.
Your research project will contribute 50% towards your final year grade and will be appraised by a combination of assessments which may include a dissertation, presentation and viva.

What opportunities are there to complete a research placement?

The fourth year of your MChem degree contains the largest research component with a project spanning the academic year. You will spend the majority of your time working in a research group under the supervision of one of our academic staff, many of whom are internationally recognised.

However there are also opportunities to get involved in research much earlier and you may want to carry out a summer project to find out if research is for you. We encourage you to take part in the Undergraduate Research Support Scheme, which involves undertaking original research during the vacation. Recent research projects have included studying the structure of graphene, and working on platinum anti-cancer drugs and novel anti-inflammatory drugs.

Additional research opportunities are available in our placement courses and the common structure in years one and two mean that you can easily transfer to MChem Chemistry with Industrial Placement or MChem Chemistry with International Placement.

What opportunities are there to study abroad?

You can choose to study abroad in one of our partner universities as an intercalated year. This will increase the duration of your studies by one year and your course title will change to MChem Chemistry with Intercalated Year.

You can transfer to the MChem Chemistry with International Placement which includes a 3-6 month placement in one of our partner institutions. Examples of partner institutions where our students have carried placements include Monash University (Australia), Eindhoven (Netherlands), Nayang Technical University (Singapore) and Modena (Italy).

Entry Requirements

A level EITHER AAA including Chemistry and a second science (from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Geology or Statistics) OR AAB including Chemistry and two further science subjects (from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Geology or Statistics)

You must also achieve a pass in the science practical if your science A level includes a separate practical assessment.

Offers usually exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

International Baccalaureate EITHER 38 points overall including 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6 in a second science subject at Higher Level (from Mathematics, Physics or Biology) OR 36 points overall including 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6, 6 in two further Higher Level science subjects (from Maths, Physics or Biology).

Contextual data and differential offers Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).

Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP) All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only). For full details of standard offers and conditions visit the IFP page.

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more nformation please visit the international entry requirements page.

Further Information

Taking a gap year Applications for deferred entry welcomed.

Interviews We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your predicted and actual grades, along with your personal statement. Occasionally, some applicants may be interviewed, for example candidates returning to study or those with non-standard qualifications.

Open Days We take into account individual circumstances when making our offer and consider it very important that you have first-hand experience of where you intend to study. We strongly advise candidates to attend one of our Departmental Admissions Days, which are reserved for current applicants. Offers are normally made before candidates have attended a Departmental Admissions Day. Find out more about our main University Open Days and other opportunities to visit us. Candidates living outside the UK are welcome to visit at any time.

Third-year work includes core modules in advanced Chemistry and extended laboratory work with industrial or overseas placements being available via a course transfer. You can also select optional modules from within Chemistry, across the Science Faculty, or from the Language Centre or Warwick Business School.

In your final year you will complete an individual investigative project on a topic that reflects your interests (worth 50% of the year’s mark) in collaboration with one of our academics, and you can select optional modules to support your research or broaden your knowledge.

Essential information

Entry Requirements
A level: EITHER AAA including Chemistry and a second science (from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Geology or Statistics) OR AAB including Chemistry and two further science subjects (from Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Geology or Statistics)

You must also achieve a pass in the science practical if your science A level includes a separate practical assessment.

Offers usually exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

IB: EITHER 38 points overall including 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6 in a second science subject at Higher Level (from Mathematics, Physics or Biology) OR 36 points overall including 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6, 6 in two further Higher Level science subjects (from Maths, Physics or Biology).

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. For further information on the typical additional costs please see the Additional Costs page.